Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)最新文献

Purpose: Orbital steroid injections offer a potential therapeutic avenue for managing Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and potential systemic impacts of a single deep orbital triamcinolone injection in TED patients.

Methods: In a prospective investigation conducted from January 2021 to March 2023, patients diagnosed with TED were enrolled. Inclusion criteria encompassed a Clinical Activity Score (CAS) of ≥3, extraocular muscle inflammation, and upper eyelid retraction. A total of 1 mL of triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg/mL) was administered posterior to the orbital septum at both the medial and lateral aspects of both the upper and lower eyelids. Parameters, including CAS, margin-reflex distances (MRD1 and MRD2), intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular motility (Hess area ratio [HAR%]), exophthalmometry, extraocular muscle size, and blood and urinary indices, were evaluated before and at 2 and 4 weeks after a single injection.

Results: Analysis included 28 patients (23 women, 5 men; mean age (SD): 38.7 (11.1) years), representing 56 eyes. Following the injection at 4 weeks, the mean CAS and MRD1 significantly decreased by 2 points and 0.8 mm, respectively. There was a 4.5% increase in HAR%, and extraocular muscle size decreased by 4 to 15.3 mm². Neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, and thyroid antibodies significantly decreased. No severe adverse ophthalmic or systemic effects, including IOP increases or liver damage, were observed.

Conclusion: Bilateral single orbital triamcinolone injections provided relief from TED symptoms through both direct effects on orbital soft tissue and systemic effects by decreasing antibody reactions.

Purpose: To highlight gaps in the professional ethics of ophthalmology.

Design: Perspective.

Methods: Presentation of problematic cases in ophthalmologic ethics with juxtaposition of ethical, legal, and conscientious viewpoints informed by relevant literature.

Results: What is legal, ethical, and conscientious overlap but are not identical. Professional ethical guidelines, when they exist, are stricter than what the law requires, but are silent on several contemporary controversies. Conscientious guidelines can vary from loosest to strictest as they apply to individuals with wide variability. The relationship of ophthalmology to society changes, and ethical guidelines lag for some of the interactions.

Conclusion: The rules of ethics for ophthalmology need to be updated and evidence of activity and oversight made public. Failure to do so invites greater external regulation.

Purpose: We evaluated the effect of optimization of the intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formula SRK/T and Barrett Universal II (BU II) in long eyes (≥26 mm: group L) and short eyes (≤22 mm: group S) using axial length calculated from segmented refractive indices (SRI).

Setting: Multicenter study at five sites in Japan.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Methods: This study included 461 eyes of 461 patients (mean age 73.8 ± 8.4 years) who underwent cataract surgery. The predicted refractive error (PRE) was compared between the SRI (ARGOS) and the equivalent refractive index (ERI) biometers (IOLMaster^TM700). The patients were randomly divided into two groups, a learning group and a validation group. The optimization constants were determined in the learning group, and the optimization constants were subsequently applied to the validation group and compared with the ERI biometer results.

Results: Using both SRK/T and BU II, the validation group's PRE using optimization constants for the SRI biometer in group L was significantly smaller than that using the ERI biometer (p<0.001, p<0.01). In group L, the arithmetic PRE of Barrett UII formula with SRI showed a significant improvement after optimization compared to before optimization (p<0.0001). In group S, the arithmetic PRE of SRK/T and Barrett UII formula with SRI showed a significant improvement (p<0.0001, p<0.0001).

Conclusion: In long and short eyes, the current study revealed that optimization of the SRK/T and Barrett formula constants for the SRI biometer was beneficial to achieve accurate refractive outcomes after cataract surgery.

Background: Retinal diseases are common at high altitudes due to a cascade of changes caused by hypoxia. The aim of this study is to assess the population prevalence, pattern and associated factors of retinal disorders at high altitude in Nepal.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at three selected high-altitude districts (over 2500 meters) of Nepal. Subjects were at least 40 years old, and the target sample size was 309. A detailed history was taken. Visual acuity, blood sugar, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were measured. Anterior and posterior ocular evaluations were conducted by retina specialists using slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscopy.

Results: A total of 338 participants were recruited, with nearly equal numbers from the three districts with mean age of 57.0 (S.D 11.1) years. Two-thirds (63.9%) were females; 38.2% were illiterate, and 46.7% were farmers. Average blood oxygen saturation was 87.2% (S.D 4.1%). Systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus were found in 58% and 11%, respectively. Retinal diseases were found in 176 (52.5%), with bilateral involvement in 157 (46.9%). The major retinal diseases were hypertensive retinopathy (32.2%), high-altitude retinopathy (10.4%), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (8.1%), branch vein occlusion (BRVO) (2.1%), and diabetic retinopathy (DR) (1.8%). The multivariate analysis showed significant association of retinal diseases with age and hypertension. Best corrected visual acuity better than 6/18 was present in 96.7%.

Conclusion: Over half of the study participants had retinal diseases, with hypertensive retinopathy, AMD, and high-altitude retinopathy as the most common retinal problems. A significant association of retinal diseases was found with ageing, and hypertension. Access to eye care services and control of systemic hypertension along with patient education should be emphasized among people living at high-altitude.

Purpose: To compare the refractive predictability of Argos measurements with Barrett Universal II (BUII) and Barrett True Axial Length (BTAL) formulas in a large sample of long, medium, and short axial length (AL) eyes.

Methods: A retrospective chart review identified 445 eyes of 247 patients for inclusion. The Argos was used for preoperative biometry, and BUII formula for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculations. Back calculations were performed using data from the Argos for the BTAL formula. Data were collected for postoperative absolute prediction error (APE), refractive outcomes, and monocular uncorrected and distance corrected visual acuities at distance (UDVA, CDVA).

Results: Overall, mean APE was 0.36 ± 0.33 D for BUII and for 0.34 ± 0.32 D BTAL (p = 0.04). In short AL eyes, mean APE was 0.45 ± 0.37 D for BUII and for 0.37 ± 0.31 D BTAL (p < 0.001). No significant differences between BUII and BTAL were identified for long AL or medium AL eyes. The percentages of eyes with APE of 0.5 D or less in long, medium, and short eyes were 79%, 79% and 51%, respectively, for BUII and 82%, 78% and 69%, respectively, for BTAL.

Conclusion: The prediction accuracies were high with both the BUII and BTAL formulas in long, medium, and short eyes, leading to excellent refractive outcomes. The BTAL formula may have lower absolute prediction error in short eyes compared to BUII.

Purpose: To analyze the patient-reported-outcomes obtained after trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) bilateral implantation in Japanese patients using three different validated questionnaires.

Methods: Fifty-three patients implanted with the FineVision HP IOLs (Beaver-Visitec International, Inc. USA) were enrolled in this prospective-study. At 3-months, refraction (spherical equivalent [SE] and cylinder), logMAR uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were obtained. Specifically, patient-reported-outcomes were evaluated using the NEI VFQ-25, the Catquest-9SF, and the PRSIQ questionnaires.

Results: The mean SE and refractive cylinder were 0.00±0.22D and -0.07±0.23D, respectively. A 98.11% of eyes were within ±0.50D and 100% were within ±1.00D of the SE. A 93.40% of the eyes showed equal or less than 0.50D of astigmatism and 100% of eyes equal or less than 1.00D. The mean value for monocular UDVA was -0.05±0.07 logMAR and the mean value for monocular CDVA was -0.07±0.06 logMAR. 87.74% and 92.45% of the eyes showed 20/20 or better monocular UDVA and CDVA, respectively, with 97.17% and 98.11% showing 20/25 or better for UDVA and CDVA, respectively. The NEI VFQ-25 outcomes showed very high scores across all categories, with mean general vision, distance and near activities values of 86.70±6.35, 96.23±7.72 and 92.14±10.74, respectively. The outcomes for the Catquest-9SF questionnaire showed that 90.57% of patients did not report difficulty in their everyday-life with their sight, and 100% of them were "very or quite satisfied" with their sight at present. The PRSIQ outcomes revealed that 100%, 98.11% and 98.11% of patients did not need glasses or contacts for far, intermediate and near vision, respectively.

Conclusion: The results of the patient-reported-outcomes questionnaires indicated that patients implanted bilaterally with the FineVision HP IOL have high vision and health related quality-of-life scores, with a high spectacle independence rate and high patient satisfaction.

Purpose: To study geographic patterns of supply and demand for uveal melanoma and other ocular oncology healthcare by ocular oncology physicians in the United States.

Methods: Google search interest data was obtained through trends.google.com. The combined-state density of ocular oncology physicians was calculated by dividing the number of practicing ocular oncologists in each state and its surrounding states by the state population. Relative search volume (RSV) values were divided by ocular oncology physician density to calculate the Google relative demand index (gRDI) for each state. Medicare (mRDI) and IRIS^® Registry (iRDI) relative demand indices were calculated using prevalence data obtained through the Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS). Data from the US Census Bureau and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) databases were also utilized to analyze associations with poverty rates, percent living in urban or rural areas, vision screening rates, and ocular neoplasm rates.

Results: Alabama showed the highest RSV (100), while the lowest was reported in New Mexico (20). Vermont had the highest density of combined-state ocular oncology ophthalmologists (1.85 per 100,000 residents). New Mexico had the lowest RDI (0.013 gRDI, 0.015 mRDI, 0.018 iRDI) with 32 combined-state ocular oncologists and a population of 2,114,371. Ocular neoplasm prevalence rates ranged between 1.32% and 5.40% and significantly correlated with RSV. Single-state gRDI correlated with rural status and negatively correlated with urban areas (≥50,000 individuals). Single-state ophthalmologist density correlated positively with percent living in urban areas and vision screening rates, and negatively with rural status.

Conclusion: This study uncovered significant heterogeneity in the geographical distribution of ocular oncology physicians and RDI throughout the United States, highlighting potential undersupply scenarios. This may guide efforts to increase ocular oncology physician and surgeon availability in areas of need.

Purpose: To estimate the economic and environmental impact of single-use instruments (SUIs) to perform standard cataract surgery in six ophthalmology centers located in Europe and in the United States.

Setting: Online survey and interview.

Design: Comparative cost analysis based on an online survey with follow-up questionnaire and interview. The carbon footprint calculation was made by ClimatePartner.

Methods: Annual costs of reusable instruments (RUIs) were calculated based on data provided by the centers. Annual costs of SUIs were estimated based on the average-selling price of a single-use cataract set of 5 instruments and the reported annual volume of cataract surgery. The calculation carbon footprint of a cataract instrument covered the whole life cycle from production to end-of-life.

Results: Annual costs for SUIs were found inferior or similar to the annual costs for RUIs for 4 out of the 6 centers included in this study. The centers where SUIs were demonstrated to be the most cost-effective were also associated with the highest costs of sterilization per instrument. The carbon footprint of 5-years usage of a cataract instrument was found to be 5478.2 kg CO_{2 eq} for SUIs without recycling, 4639.9 kg CO_{2 eq} for SUIs with recycling and 20.6 kg CO_{2 eq} for RUIs.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated that SUIs can be an alternative solution to using RUIs in multispecialty hospitals associated with high sterilization costs.

Introduction: Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by progressive and irreversible damage to the optic nerve. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of sociodemographic and psychological factors on adherence to glaucoma therapy.

Methods: The study was carried out among 190 adults treated for glaucoma at the Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic of the University Teaching Hospital in Wroclaw between January 2019 and September 2019. Treatment adherence was measured using the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS). We used the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).

Results: 58.9% patients reported low treatment adherence. Educated females aged 68 or under living in cities had higher adherence. The regression analysis showed an association between dispositional optimism and glaucoma treatment adherence. The higher the level of dispositional optimism, the better the adherence. Higher dispositional optimism is directly associated with a sense of self-esteem and self-efficacy and a feeling of internal control. Patients reporting a high level of illness acceptance were found to have 2.5 times higher odds of adhering to glaucoma therapy. Illness acceptance is an indicator of the degree of adaptation to an illness and is positively correlated with a sense of self-esteem and self-efficacy and engagement in healthy behavior.

Conclusion: More than half of patients with glaucoma have low adherence. Sociodemographic characteristics (female gender, age 68 or under, tertiary education and living in an urban area) and psychological characteristics (high level of illness acceptance, dispositional optimism and satisfaction with life) are significant predictors of high adherence.

Refractive surgery has experienced substantial advancements over the past few years, driven by innovative techniques and continuous technological progress aimed at enhancing visual outcomes and patient satisfaction. Refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism affect a significant portion of the global population, impacting quality of life and productivity. Recent advancements have been fueled by a deeper understanding of ocular biomechanics and visual optics, leading to more precise and effective treatments. Traditional methods such as LASIK and PRK have been refined, and new procedures like SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) have been introduced, expanding the range of treatable refractive errors and improving safety and predictability. Customized treatments, such as wavefront-guided LASIK and topography-guided PRK, allow for individualized plans tailored to each patient's unique corneal characteristics, enhancing visual acuity and reducing higher-order aberrations. The use of femtosecond lasers in procedures like Femto-LASIK and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) offers unparalleled precision, reducing surgical risks and improving outcomes. Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs) and corneal crosslinking (CXL) have emerged as effective options for specific patient groups. Advanced diagnostic tools like optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Scheimpflug imaging have improved surgical planning and complication management. As research and technology continue to evolve, these advancements promise even greater improvements in refractive surgery, addressing the visual needs of the global population.